Story of the most useless creature on the earth
Do you know the most useless creature on the earth?
Do you know about the most useless creature of the earth? Well, every living creature play an important role in balancing the ecosystem. It was believed that sloths are the most useless creature on the earth. Initially when European found these creatures, they considered them the most useless creature because of their low vision, hearing sense, and they are also the slowest moving creatures on the earth. So are they really the most useless creatures? Well, according to later researches, it was found that the slots are not useless, but they are the most important creatures of rain Forest.
It is true that Sloths are the slowest creatures on the earth, but they mostly like to live on the trees. They spend most of their lifetime in trees, staying upside down. Even they perform all the life activities on the trees such as eating, sleeping, breeding etc. not only this, but they also give birth to their offsprings from the trees. The sloths slow movement is not their weakness, but it helps them from predators, because they can easily camouflage with trees. Sloths are almost blind at daytime because they lack the cone cells in their eyes, due to which we differentiate the colors. Sloths are slow moving, dull and lack the complete vision and hearing sense, but they still perform important functions in our planet.
Importance of sloths
1. Sloths help sunlight reach inside forest
Sloths live in dense tropical forest that's tree canopy is very wide. Due to this, the sunlight can't reach on the floor of the forest. So the sloths live on the Top of these trees and eat the leafs that help the sunlight to reach on the floor. The sunlight play a vital role in the growth of small plants and insects in the forest.
2. Sloths poop is good for soil
The pooping style of sloths is unique. First they go near the Roots of the tree, make a small pit and then poop there. This poop act as a fertilizer for the plant's roots and the nearby soil, which they directly get it from the sloths poop.
3. Sloths are home to several creatures
Sloths act as a biodiversity ecosystem, because they are the host of many living creatures which they carry within their fur. They provide habitat to variety of creatures such as algae, fungi, bacteria, caterpillar, moths and Beetles. They are slow moving animals, that's why these creatures can easily flourish there.
4. Sloths are important food source
The role of sloths as a food source is very important in tropical forest. Because on the ground they are eaten by big cats such as Jaguar and Margays, on the top of trees they are eaten by eagles, and in the water they become food of anaconda. So they are food source of different species in different areas.
5. Sloths cure several Human diseases
Sloth carry an entire ecosystem to its fur. The most discussed one is an algae that grow on its fur. It was found that the algae found on sloth produces a substance that protect from several diseases including a specific kind of breast cancer.
Even after having so much importance, still sloths are considered useless. Sloth provide an umbrella to a variety of creatures that depends on it. They are slow moving, that's why they are easily caught and hampered. After knowing the importance of sloths now we know that even the useless creature is not useless in nature. Sloth needs to be saved, because saving their ecosystem will definitely save all benefits that we and other creatures get from them.
About the Creator
Parveen Baloch
MPhil/Zoology, Freelance writer
Keep reading
More stories from Parveen Baloch and writers in Earth and other communities.
Will humans die, if bees go extinct?
Do you know what will happen, if bees go extinct? Well, it is believed that the life on the surface of earth is not possible without bees, if bees get extinct then the humans will also die, and recently bees have been declared the most important species of the earth. But why bees are so essential for living? What do they do? And how will their extinction effect human life? Well, before understanding the importance of bees, first we have to understand cross pollination.
By Parveen Baloch 2 years ago in Humans
Nitrogen is necessary for young tropical rain forests to combat climate change.
By absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in wood, tropical rainforests contribute to the slowing of climate change. Forests that develop quickly are even more important because they absorb carbon more quickly.
By Francis Dami2 days ago in Earth
DoJ Attorneys Resign Over Decision Not to Investigate Agent in Minneapolis ICE Shooting
A Justice Department Decision Sparks Fallout Several US Department of Justice (DoJ) attorneys have resigned following an internal decision not to pursue a criminal investigation into a federal immigration agent involved in a shooting in Minneapolis, according to multiple officials familiar with the matter. The resignations have intensified scrutiny of the DoJ’s handling of the case and fueled public debate over law enforcement accountability, particularly when federal agents are involved. The shooting, which occurred during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Minneapolis, has already drawn local outrage and national attention. The decision not to open a formal investigation has now added a new layer of controversy—this time from within the Justice Department itself. What Is Known About the Minneapolis ICE Shooting Details surrounding the incident remain limited, as authorities have not released a full public account. What has been confirmed is that an ICE agent discharged a firearm during an operation, resulting in a civilian being shot. The condition of the victim has not been fully detailed in official statements, though local officials confirmed the individual survived. Local law enforcement initially responded to the scene, but jurisdictional authority shifted quickly due to the involvement of a federal agent. Under standard procedure, incidents involving federal officers are typically reviewed by the DoJ to determine whether a civil rights or criminal investigation is warranted. It was this review—and its outcome—that ultimately triggered internal dissent. Why DoJ Attorneys Walked Away According to sources familiar with the resignations, multiple attorneys—some with experience in civil rights and public integrity cases—objected strongly to the decision not to open a formal investigation. They argued that the shooting met the threshold for independent review, regardless of whether charges were ultimately brought. One former official described the decision as “a dangerous precedent,” warning that declining to investigate could erode public trust. Others reportedly felt that political considerations, rather than legal standards, influenced the outcome. While the DoJ has not publicly confirmed the number of resignations, officials acknowledged that departures occurred and said they were handled in accordance with internal procedures. The Justice Department’s Position In a brief statement, the Department of Justice said it had conducted an initial assessment of the incident and concluded that there was insufficient basis to proceed with a criminal investigation at this time. Officials emphasized that such decisions are made after reviewing available evidence, including use-of-force policies and witness statements. The department rejected claims that the decision was politically motivated, insisting that prosecutors follow established legal thresholds rather than public pressure. However, the DoJ declined to provide further details, citing the sensitive nature of law enforcement operations and personnel matters. Minneapolis Officials and Community Reaction In Minneapolis, the reaction has been swift and critical. City leaders and community advocates have called for greater transparency, arguing that federal agents operating within city limits should be subject to the same level of scrutiny as local police. “This isn’t about politics—it’s about accountability,” said a local civil rights advocate. “When someone is shot, there must be an independent investigation, regardless of the badge involved.” Protests and community meetings have followed, with residents demanding the release of body camera footage, operational details, and a clearer explanation for the DoJ’s decision. ICE Operations Under Renewed Scrutiny The shooting and subsequent fallout have reignited broader concerns about ICE enforcement tactics. Critics argue that immigration operations often take place with limited oversight, creating conditions where accountability gaps can emerge. Advocacy groups note that ICE agents are armed and authorized to use force, yet incidents involving shootings are relatively rare—and therefore require especially careful review when they occur. Supporters of ICE counter that agents operate in dangerous environments and must make split-second decisions, warning against rushing to judgment without full facts. Political Pressure and the Rule of Law The resignations have also raised questions about political pressure within federal law enforcement agencies. While no direct evidence has been made public, former prosecutors say internal disagreement of this magnitude is unusual and concerning. “When career attorneys resign over a single decision, it signals a serious breakdown of trust,” said a former federal prosecutor. “That doesn’t happen lightly.” Lawmakers from both parties have begun asking questions, with some calling for congressional oversight hearings into the incident and the DoJ’s decision-making process. Legal Standards vs Public Expectations At the heart of the controversy is a long-standing tension in US justice: the gap between legal thresholds for prosecution and public expectations of accountability. Opening an investigation does not imply guilt, but declining to investigate can be perceived as preemptively closing the door on transparency. Civil rights experts argue that even if prosecutors believe charges are unlikely, a formal investigation can still serve an important public interest. “The process matters as much as the outcome,” said one legal scholar. “Especially when federal authority is involved.” What Happens Next While the DoJ has indicated it will not revisit its decision at this time, pressure is mounting. Civil lawsuits, independent reviews, or congressional inquiries could still follow. Meanwhile, the resignations themselves may become part of a broader reckoning inside the Justice Department, as leaders assess how internal dissent is handled—and how public confidence can be restored. For the attorneys who resigned, the decision appears to have been a matter of principle. For the public, the unanswered questions surrounding the Minneapolis shooting remain unresolved. Conclusion: A Case That Won’t Fade Quietly The resignations of DoJ attorneys over the decision not to investigate an ICE agent involved in a Minneapolis shooting have turned a single law enforcement incident into a national flashpoint. Beyond the specifics of the case, the episode raises fundamental questions about accountability, transparency, and the independence of the justice system. Whether through further investigation, legal action, or political oversight, the issue is unlikely to disappear—and the consequences may shape how similar cases are handled in the future.
By Aarif Lashari4 days ago in Earth
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.